Please Advise Me: Shell Types

[bdubz]

First, please forgive the newb question but i figure i will only learn by asking. What are the community recommendations for shell types/sizes? I'm particularly looking at inexpensive range shooting for one. Home defense for another.

In my specific scenario, I will be getting a 12ga, live in a house with a family in moderately close quarters. Neighbors are also nearby. Fairly typical LA neighborhood, so over penetration on HD rounds is definitely a concern. I doubt I would ever load slugs.

I've read a lot and still don't totally get the numbers and what they mean like #1 or #4. Does bird shot have its own set of numbers and buckshot has its own set? Or do the numbers represent a progression that includes going from birdshot to buckshot? I've also read that people will load a progression of shells so the first shot or two acts as a harsh warning and the next set are fatal. What do you load? And please don't forget about inexpensive but decent range ammunition! I expect I'll be using it for that purpose, hopefully 100% more than the other.

[-hanko]

Google "shotgun shell sizes" without the quotation marks.

hth

-hanko

[sargenv]

Here is the Wikipedia link that explains a lot of this..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell

[Sicarius]

For HD, Idealy 00 is the way to go. Flight control keeps a really tight pattern. #4 buck is generally considered acceptable for HD when considering the collateral damage. Slugs will definately ruin somebody's day but that is a lot of lead to throw if it misses. 2 3/4 inch shells are your best bet. Any larger and you will reduce your round count that your shotgun can hold. Birdshot is far from ideal for a one shot stop.
Kevin

[bdubz]

Ok, so buckshot for HD, bird shot for the range. Perhaps I'll keep a #4 in the front and load up the back end with 00 in case the first one doesn't take care of it. I just obviously wouldn't want to penetrate a wall and hit a family member or a pet in my close quarters.

Although has anybody here ever actually had a home invasion and used the shotgun?

[mandor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq3RVvL9ZjU

the only advice i'd give you on choosing a shot shell, is to purchase a variety of them and pattern them all. in my hd shotgun, hornady and federal 00 buck patterns very very well, while remington shells are total garbage.

[bdubz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq3RVvL9ZjU
the only advice i'd give you on choosing a shot shell, is to purchase a variety of them and pattern them all. in my hd shotgun, hornady and federal 00 buck patterns very very well, while remington shells are total garbage.

Good to know, thank you. I will try a variety.

[Sicarius]

Yes, try them all. Each shotgun will shoot different loads differently. I have heard of people staggering the rounds but I fail to see the merrit. If you are not able to drop somebody with the first load and have to follow up with 00, you should have just used 00 in the first place. Nobody ever plans to miss so to account for flyers going downrange doesn't mean that you won't miss every other round. Stick with one load. Learn it and know how it patterns.
Kevin

[WALDSCHRAT]

1). Measure the distances inside your home for the various home invasion/crime scenarios (i.e. bedroom door to front door).
2). Study the areas outside your home that a projectile could strike if it leaves your home (i.e. shot goes through your window and strikes neighbors' window).
3). Experiment with and decide upon the proper load.

I don't know of anyone (short of a tweaker) that can remain on the offensive after receiving bird shot in the face at close range and that's just birdshot. You may very well be able to use larger shot and still not pose a danger to your neighbors due to errant rounds.

I've read that a single shot .410 is the best firearm for home defense. If it gets ripped off, then statistically it is highly unlikely that it will ever be used in a firearms related crime and lets face it: Getting your guns ripped off in a burglary is about ten thousand times greater than ever needing them in home defense.
Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[Reductio]

Please realize that anything that's got enough force to go through a jacket / shirt / skin / bone / muscle WILL go right through dry rock if you miss. Your thinking shouldn't be primarily focused on that, know the lines of fire where it's safe and use something that'll keep you and your family safe.

00 Buck, I have a penchant for low-recoil stuff from Hornady in their versatite wad (or Federal in FliteControl, same thing). Fast follow-up, incredibly tight groupings (less stray rounds). Also, you ought to look up some wound profiles from 00 buck, you'd be surprised how very rare it is for it to go completely through a body.

Birdshot is for birds.

[ysr_racer]

00 is big, number 9 is very small

[Sicarius]

Also consider that the smaller size shot you use, the potential for more strays there is.
Kevin

[bdubz]

00 is big, number 9 is very small

nice graphic....thanks!

[hardluck]

With all being said already my preference for HD SG ammo is FC-LE1321B

http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PartNumber=FC-LE1321B

good luck in your search

[bdubz]

With all being said already my preference for HD SG ammo is FC-LE1321B

http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PartNumber=FC-LE1321B

good luck in your search

I can't tell...how many rounds in a box? I take it you've ordered from here, how is the shipping?